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Partial Knee Replacement Water Therapy Exercises

Hydrotherapy is another term for water therapy. According to the National Institute of Health, water therapy exercises lead to better muscular strength, increased range of motion and coordination while also increasing your partial knee replacement's stabilization. Partial knee replacement water therapy exercises can increase your rate of recovery following surgery. Most exercises that can be done on land are easier done in water, according to the Arthritis Foundation.

  1. Standing Exercises

    • Do gentle rocking. According to the Arthritis Foundation, while standing in the water, hold onto the side of the pool. Very gently and slowly lower your upper body until your knee bends. Hold. Return to upright position. Repeat.

      Do leg lifts. Stand with your back against the pool's sides. Have the water be at least waist deep. Extend your arms so that they rest against the pool's side and support your upper body. Gently lift your weak leg as far as you can. Hold. Return to original position. Repeat.

      Walk the pool. According to healthyme.com, while in waist-deep water, walk the pool's perimeter. Be certain to keep your feet on the pool's bottom. Hold onto the side for stability. Walk at your own pace. As you feel comfortable, increase your speed.

    Prone Exercises

    • Swim-like maneuver. To increase your knee's flexibility, you need to strengthen your hamstrings. Get in the pool and stand facing the pool's side. Rest your face on your arms. Lift your lower body until it is in the floating position. You will be in a supine position. Gently and slowly start to kick your legs as if you are swimming. Do for only a few seconds. Relax and return to standing position. Repeat. This exercise can be done with one leg touching the pool's bottom and your surgical leg straightened.

      Hamstring curl. While in the supine position (face down, legs extended), gently bend your knee until your foot is out of the water.

    Sitting Exercises

    • Sit on the stairs. Get in the pool until both your legs are in the water. The water should come to at least your mid-calf area. Gently and slowly kick your leg as if to straighten it. For greater intensity, immerse yourself in the water until it is waist deep.

      Use bands. While sitting on the stairs, wrap a resistance band around your weak leg. Hold on to the band with both hands. Gently pull back on the band until your knee bends. Hold. Return to original position. Repeat.

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